http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/who-is-my-neighbor-community-economics-edition.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:25:09 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/who-is-my-neighbor-community-economics-edition.html#comment-43876 Michael Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:11:01 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1161#comment-43876 I personally believe that any business model that begins to rely on charity or idealism is a doomed business model. People by and large may hate what Wal-Mart stands for, but when times get bad, more people shop at Wal-Mart. "Shop at us because we're local!" or "Shop at us to keep our doors open!" may work for a little while, but it isn't a sustainable business practice, in my opinion. If you can't compete in a way in which a large customer base cares about, then you'll fail. You need low prices, great customer service, a good location, and/or other factors that people like. <i>Just</i> being local and/or Christian isn't going to cut it if you fail to perform on too many other levels. I personally believe that any business model that begins to rely on charity or idealism is a doomed business model. People by and large may hate what Wal-Mart stands for, but when times get bad, more people shop at Wal-Mart. “Shop at us because we’re local!” or “Shop at us to keep our doors open!” may work for a little while, but it isn’t a sustainable business practice, in my opinion. If you can’t compete in a way in which a large customer base cares about, then you’ll fail. You need low prices, great customer service, a good location, and/or other factors that people like. Just being local and/or Christian isn’t going to cut it if you fail to perform on too many other levels.

]]> http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/who-is-my-neighbor-community-economics-edition.html#comment-43865 francisco Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:16:00 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1161#comment-43865 That's crazy! That’s crazy!

]]> http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/who-is-my-neighbor-community-economics-edition.html#comment-43863 Josh Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:46:54 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1161#comment-43863 I ran into a documentary the other day called "What Would Jesus Buy?" It takes a closer look at our consumerist culture, and how it's effecting people overseas as well as us, particularly during Christmas. It also follows the story of the humorous musical show called "Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping." Regardless that I think Rev. Billy's show isn't very effective because it's extraordinarily goofy (He goes into a walt disney store once and starts declaring Mickey Mouse the Anti-Christ) I admire that he is, in a sense serious. Serious enough to get himself thrown out of shopping malls, stores, and disneyland itself to passively spread his message that excess shopping is killing Americans in a far too real way. I ran into a documentary the other day called “What Would Jesus Buy?” It takes a closer look at our consumerist culture, and how it’s effecting people overseas as well as us, particularly during Christmas. It also follows the story of the humorous musical show called “Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping.” Regardless that I think Rev. Billy’s show isn’t very effective because it’s extraordinarily goofy (He goes into a walt disney store once and starts declaring Mickey Mouse the Anti-Christ) I admire that he is, in a sense serious. Serious enough to get himself thrown out of shopping malls, stores, and disneyland itself to passively spread his message that excess shopping is killing Americans in a far too real way.

]]> http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/who-is-my-neighbor-community-economics-edition.html#comment-43860 Dave Block Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:39:02 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1161#comment-43860 Dan, I agree very strongly with every point you've made. I've talked at my church about redoing the directory with a list of professions, skills, etc. accompanying our names to facilitate mutual economic support. I also think local currency is a great way to go. Have you considered that? I wrote an article on it back in '98: www.ratical.org/many_worlds/cc/localmoney.html Dan, I agree very strongly with every point you’ve made. I’ve talked at my church about redoing the directory with a list of professions, skills, etc. accompanying our names to facilitate mutual economic support. I also think local currency is a great way to go. Have you considered that? I wrote an article on it back in ‘98: http://www.ratical.org/many_wo.....money.html

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